A computing system automates the configuration and management of a live sound system that includes a processor and memory for building in a GUI of a display a representation of the live sound system for a venue. The system loads a venue template that includes loudspeaker arrays and related properties including a setup configuration of the loudspeaker arrays and tuning data for constituent loudspeakers that are operable to provide an audio coverage pattern for the venue. The system overlays on top of the representation of the loudspeaker arrays a wiring circuit representation indicating interconnections of the loudspeakers that define bandpass inputs for each array. The system generates a plurality of amplifiers in the representation to drive the arrays, and associates amplifier channels of the amplifiers with the bandpass inputs. The amplifier channels include representations of output channels of DSPs coupled with respective amplifier channels. The system loads tuning data into respective representation of the DSP and/or amplifiers based on configurations of the associated loudspeakers to complete virtual configuration. The representations of the devices and connections may be matched with physical devices of the live sound system and the tuning data sent down to the physical DSPs and/or amplifiers for their configuration.
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1. A system to automate the configuration and management of a live sound system comprising: a computing system comprising a processor and memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to determine loudspeaker array requirements based on a venue configuration and audio coverage and to generate a visual representation of a configuration of the live sound system in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a display that includes: a plurality of loudspeakers located in a venue within one or more loudspeaker arrays interconnected by corresponding wiring circuits that include bandpass inputs; and a plurality of amplifiers having amplifier channels coupled with the bandpass inputs, the amplifiers having input channels coupled with respective output channels of digital signal processors (DSPs); where the processor executes the instructions to generate indicators overlaid over the one or more loudspeaker arrays in the GUI, the overlaid indicators configured to display DSP parameter values of output channels of the DSPs associated with respective bandpass inputs of the loudspeaker arrays, to enable monitoring DSP output channel behavior in the GUI while visually maintaining the relationship of the loudspeakers with which each is associated.
A system automates live sound system configuration. A computer with a processor and memory runs software that determines loudspeaker array needs based on venue size and desired sound coverage. The software displays a GUI showing the live sound system setup, including loudspeakers in arrays connected by wiring circuits with bandpass inputs, and amplifiers with channels connected to the bandpass inputs via digital signal processors (DSPs). The GUI overlays indicators on the loudspeaker arrays, displaying DSP parameter values. This allows monitoring DSP output while visually associating it with the loudspeakers.
2. The system of claim 1 , where at least some of the overlaid indicators comprise a summed combination of two or more DSP parameters from corresponding adjacent bandpass inputs of identical type.
The system described above, where some GUI indicators display a combined value from multiple DSP parameters of adjacent bandpass inputs of the same type. For instance, the system shows a summed output level for two adjacent subwoofers within the GUI, providing a consolidated view of related DSP settings.
3. The system of claim 1 , where the one or more loudspeaker arrays comprise a mixture of a plurality of passive or active loudspeakers and one or more powered loudspeakers within which are integrated the DSPs, the indicators including one or more of meters, objects, and parameters.
The system described above, where loudspeaker arrays use a mix of passive, active, and powered loudspeakers (with integrated DSPs). The GUI indicators, which display DSP information, can include meters, visual objects, and parameter readouts (e.g., gain, delay). The system thus supports heterogeneous speaker setups and visualizes relevant DSP data accordingly.
4. The system of claim 1 , where the DSPs comprise DSP devices that are external to and coupled with the respective amplifiers, or where the DSPs comprise internal DSP devices integrated within the respective amplifiers.
In the system described above, the DSPs can be either external DSP devices connected to amplifiers or internal DSPs built directly into the amplifiers. The system accommodates both configurations, enabling automated configuration regardless of where the DSP processing is physically located.
5. The system of claim 1 , where the instructions are further executable by the processor to group a plurality of amplifiers together that drive two or more loudspeakers of the one or more loudspeaker arrays to provide simultaneous control from within the GUI of the two or more loudspeakers through the grouped amplifiers.
In the system described above, the software groups multiple amplifiers controlling loudspeakers within an array, enabling simultaneous control of these loudspeakers from the GUI. Changing a parameter for the group affects all linked amplifiers and loudspeakers, simplifying adjustment of related sound elements.
6. The system of claim 1 , where connections between the amplifier input channels and the respective output channels of the DSPs, and connections between the bandpass inputs and associated amplifier channels are stored in memory for use by the processor to generate the visual representations of the live sound system in the GUI.
In the system described above, the connections between amplifier input channels and DSP output channels, and between bandpass inputs and amplifier channels, are saved in memory. The software uses this data to generate the visual representation of the live sound system in the GUI, ensuring accurate depiction of signal routing and device relationships.
7. The system of claim 6 , where the instructions are further executable by the processor to transmit tuning data over a network for loading into each respective DSP based on configurations of the loudspeakers for the audio coverage, pre-defined loudspeaker tunings, and line array calculator information, the tuning data including one or more of equalization settings, crossover settings, gain settings, driver delay settings, and a combination thereof.
The system described above transmits tuning data over a network to configure each DSP. This data is based on speaker configurations, pre-defined tunings, and line array calculations. Tuning data includes equalization, crossover, gain, and delay settings, automatically optimizing sound system performance based on pre-calculated or user-defined parameters.
8. A system to automate the configuration and management of a live sound system comprising: a computing system comprising a processor and memory, the memory including instructions executable by the processor to: load in a graphical user interface (GUI) of a display a venue template that includes one or more loudspeaker arrays and a plurality of related properties representing a live sound system for a venue, the properties including a setup configuration of the one or more loudspeaker arrays and tuning data for loudspeakers included in the one or more loudspeaker arrays, the one or more loudspeaker arrays presented to provide an audio coverage pattern for the venue; overlay, on top of the one or more loudspeaker array representations in the GUI, a wiring circuit representation indicating interconnections of the loudspeakers that define bandpass inputs for each of the one or more loudspeaker arrays; generate within the live sound system representation a plurality of amplifiers to drive the one or more loudspeaker arrays; associate amplifier channels of the amplifiers with the bandpass inputs, the amplifier channels including representations of output channels of digital signal processors (DSPs) coupled with respective amplifier channels; and load tuning data into respective representations of the DSPs based on configurations of the associated loudspeakers, to complete virtual configuration of the live sound system for the venue.
A system automatically configures a live sound system. The system loads a venue template including loudspeaker arrays and properties (setup, tuning data) in a GUI. It overlays wiring diagrams onto the loudspeaker array representations, showing connections that define bandpass inputs. It creates virtual amplifiers to drive the arrays, linking amplifier channels with bandpass inputs and DSP output channels. Finally, it loads tuning data into the virtual DSPs based on loudspeaker configurations, completing a virtual configuration of the live sound system.
9. The system of claim 8 , where the instructions are further executable by the processor to receive a selection responsive to receipt of a signal through the GUI selective of a pre-defined venue template that includes the one or more loudspeaker arrays, where the plurality of related properties are derived from execution by the processor of an acoustical modeling tool on the one or more loudspeaker arrays for the venue.
The system described above loads a pre-defined venue template from the GUI. Loudspeaker properties are derived by running acoustical modeling software on the loudspeaker arrays for the specific venue, optimizing the configuration based on acoustic simulations.
10. The system of claim 9 , where the instructions are further executable by the processor to: derive line array calibration parameters from the acoustical modeling tool with respect to a plurality of line array circuits within the one or more loudspeaker arrays, the line array calibration parameters adapted to optimize audio coverage of the line array circuits according to the audio coverage pattern for the venue; associate the DSPs with corresponding line array circuits; and transmit the line array calibration parameters over a network for loading into the associated amplifiers and DSPs to provide speaker correction to corresponding line array circuits.
The system described above derives line array calibration parameters from the acoustical modeling tool. These parameters optimize audio coverage for line array circuits. The system associates DSPs with line array circuits and transmits calibration parameters over a network to the amplifiers and DSPs, providing speaker correction optimized for the venue's acoustics.
11. The system of claim 8 , where the tuning data comprises one or more of equalization settings, crossover settings, driver delay settings, and gain settings.
In the system described above, the tuning data includes equalization settings, crossover settings, driver delay settings, and gain settings for each loudspeaker or loudspeaker array.
12. The system of claim 8 , where the DSPs comprise DSP devices having output channels that are external to and coupled with respective amplifier channels, or where the DSPs comprise internal DSP devices integrated within the respective amplifiers.
In the system described above, DSPs can be external devices connected to amplifiers, or integrated within the amplifiers. This flexibility allows the system to manage diverse hardware setups.
13. The system of claim 8 , where the instructions are further executable by the processor to generate a setup diagram for connecting the output channels of the DSPs to the amplifier channels, the amplifier channels to the bandpass inputs, and the loudspeakers within each of the one or more loudspeaker arrays to each other within the venue.
The system described above creates a setup diagram for connecting DSP outputs to amplifier channels, amplifier channels to bandpass inputs, and loudspeakers within each array. This diagram aids physical wiring and ensures proper connections in the real-world sound system.
14. The system of claim 8 , where the loudspeaker arrays comprise passive or active loudspeaker arrays including respective passive or active loudspeakers, where the instructions are further executable by the processor to store, in the memory, representations of the connections between the bandpass inputs of the passive or active loudspeaker arrays and the associated amplifier channels, representations of the connections between the associated amplifier channels and the output channels of respective DSPs, and to store the loaded tuning data in relation to the respective representations of the DSP output channels or associated amplifier channels.
In the system described above, loudspeaker arrays can be passive or active. The system stores connection information (bandpass inputs to amplifier channels, amplifier channels to DSP outputs) and the loaded tuning data in relation to the DSP outputs or associated amplifier channels, maintaining a complete record of the configuration.
15. The system of claim 14 , where the instructions are further executable by the processor to: access a network to discover interconnected physical devices of the venue; receive input signals indicative of matching the representations of the bandpass inputs of the passive or active loudspeaker arrays, of the amplifier channels, and of the output channels of the DSPs to the corresponding interconnected physical devices of the venue; and in response to the input signals, transmit addressing and DSP tuning data for loading into respective amplifiers or DSPs, the tuning data including one or more of equalization settings, crossover settings, gain settings, and driver delay settings.
The system described above can discover interconnected physical devices on a network. User input matches virtual representations to physical devices. The system then transmits addressing and DSP tuning data over the network to configure the amplifiers or DSPs, automating physical setup. Tuning data includes equalization, crossover, gain, and delay settings.
16. The system of claim 14 , where the instructions are further executable by the processor to enable both automatic and manual system test modes to ensure that the bandpass inputs of the passive or active loudspeaker arrays and the associated amplifier channels and output channels of the DSPs are connected as expected based on the stored representations thereof.
The system described above includes both automatic and manual test modes to verify that the connections between bandpass inputs, amplifier channels, and DSP outputs are correct. This validation process ensures proper system functionality before use.
17. The system of claim 15 , where the instructions are further executable by the processor to generate control interfaces to enable a user to tune multiple levels of the live sound system by mapping individual controls on the control interfaces to DSP parameters within the DSPs associated with the amplifier channels of the passive or active loudspeakers.
The system described above allows users to tune the live sound system by mapping GUI controls to DSP parameters. These controls affect the DSPs linked to the amplifier channels of the loudspeakers, providing customizable sound shaping capabilities.
18. The system of claim 15 , where the instructions are further executable by the processor to generate a system monitoring interface in the GUI for use during a live show, the monitoring interface including an overlay of DSP parameter values on top of the representations of corresponding active or passive loudspeakers in corresponding loudspeaker arrays, each bandpass input of the passive or active loudspeaker arrays associated with amplifier channels that are coupled with corresponding output channels of the DSPs, to enable monitoring DSP output channel behavior in the GUI while visually maintaining the relationship of the loudspeakers with which each is associated.
The system described above features a monitoring interface in the GUI, displaying DSP parameter values overlaid on the loudspeaker representations. The GUI shows relationships between bandpass inputs, amplifier channels, and DSP outputs, enabling real-time monitoring of DSP behavior in the context of the loudspeaker setup.
19. A method for automation of the configuration and management of a live sound system, the method executable with a computer having a processor and memory, the computer coupled with a display on which is displayable a graphical user interface (GUI), the method comprising: receiving, by the processor, a signal from the GUI indicating selection of a venue template; loading in the GUI, by the processor, the venue template that includes one or more powered loudspeaker arrays and a plurality of related properties representative of a live sound system for a venue, the properties including a setup configuration of the one or more powered loudspeaker arrays and tuning parameters for powered loudspeakers included in the powered loudspeaker arrays that are operable to provide an audio coverage pattern for the venue; overlaying, on top of the powered loudspeaker array representation in the GUI, by the processor, a wiring circuit representation indicating groupings of the powered loudspeakers in at least some of the powered loudspeaker arrays and corresponding bandpass inputs; associating, by the processor, powered loudspeaker channels with the bandpass inputs of the powered loudspeaker arrays, the powered loudspeaker channels including representations of output channels of digital signal processors (DSPs) coupled with the powered loudspeaker channels; loading, by the processor, the tuning parameters into respective representations of the DSPs based on configurations of the associated powered loudspeakers; and assembling with a virtual configuration at least a portion of the live sound system for the venue.
A method automates the configuration of a live sound system. A computer loads a venue template containing powered loudspeaker arrays and related properties, including setup and tuning parameters, into a GUI. The method overlays wiring diagrams showing loudspeaker groupings and bandpass inputs. It associates loudspeaker channels (including DSP outputs) with bandpass inputs and loads tuning parameters into the DSP representations. This assembles a virtual configuration of the live sound system.
20. The method of claim 19 , where the tuning parameters comprise equalization settings, crossover settings, driver delay settings, and gain settings.
In the method described above, the tuning parameters include equalization settings, crossover settings, driver delay settings, and gain settings for the powered loudspeakers.
21. The method of claim 19 , where at least some of the bandpass inputs are further coupled with one or more individual DSP devices located externally to the powered loudspeakers, the method further comprising: associating DSP device channels of the individual DSPs with related bandpass inputs of the one or more powered loudspeaker arrays; and generating a setup diagram for connecting the individual DSP devices to the bandpass inputs of the one or more powered loudspeaker arrays.
The method described above also handles external DSP devices connected to the loudspeaker array bandpass inputs. The method associates these DSP device channels with the loudspeaker arrays and generates a setup diagram to guide physical connections.
22. The method of claim 21 , further comprising: storing, in memory, representations of the connections between the DSP device channels of the individual DSP devices and the bandpass inputs, and storing the tuning parameters in relation to respective DSPs and individual DSP devices.
The method described above stores connection data between external DSP device channels and bandpass inputs, along with tuning parameters associated with the DSPs and external DSPs in memory.
23. The method of claim 22 , further comprising: receiving input signals indicative of matching the representations of the bandpass inputs of the one or more powered loudspeaker arrays, of the powered loudspeaker channels, and of the DSP device channels of the individual DSP devices to corresponding physical devices and channels discovered over a network; and in response to the input signals, transmitting addressing and tuning parameters over the network for loading into respective DSPs of the powered loudspeakers and into the individual DSP devices.
The method described above receives input matching virtual representations of bandpass inputs, loudspeaker channels, and external DSP device channels with physical devices discovered on a network. It then transmits addressing and tuning parameters over the network to configure the DSPs within the powered loudspeakers and the external DSP devices.
24. The method of claim 23 , further comprising: providing both automatic and manual system test modes to ensure the individual DSP devices and the bandpass inputs of the one or more powered loudspeaker arrays are connected as expected based on the stored representations thereof.
The method described above provides automatic and manual test modes to ensure that external DSP devices and loudspeaker array bandpass inputs are correctly connected, based on the stored virtual representations.
25. The method of claim 23 , further comprising: generating control interfaces to enable a user to tune multiple levels of the live sound system by mapping individual controls on the interfaces to DSP parameters within the DSPs and within the individual DSP devices associated with the powered loudspeaker channels.
The method described above generates control interfaces allowing users to tune the sound system by mapping GUI controls to DSP parameters within both the internal DSPs and external DSP devices connected to the powered loudspeakers.
26. The method of claim 23 , further comprising: generating a system monitoring interface in the GUI for use during a live show, the monitoring interface including an overlay of DSP parameter values on top of the representations of corresponding powered loudspeakers in the one or more powered loudspeaker arrays, at least some of the bandpass inputs of the one or more powered loudspeaker arrays associated with corresponding output channels of the DSPs and the device channels of the individual DSP devices, to enable monitoring DSP channel behavior while visually maintaining the relationship of the powered loudspeaker with which each is associated.
The method described above provides a GUI-based monitoring interface for live shows, displaying DSP parameter values overlaid on the loudspeaker representations. It shows the relationship between loudspeaker array bandpass inputs, DSP outputs, and external DSP device channels, allowing real-time monitoring of DSP behavior in the context of the loudspeaker setup.
Cooperative Patent Classification codes for this invention. Click any code to explore related patents in that topic.
March 3, 2011
May 23, 2017
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